To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' John 8:31-32, NIV

 

“Being free” sounds simple and eminently desirable when we imagine what being caged or imprisoned could mean, yet it’s a complex concept because of our intricate structure as human beings; we can be bound and often not even be aware that we are. Created in God’s image, we possess different parts. Besides our visible body, we have a heart, mind and spirit, any part of which can be bound, or enslaved.

 

Ironically, we can be free physically and yet still “in chains”, or, incarcerated, but liberated in spirit. Where we are at present is perhaps difficult to assess, yet an important question remains: are we free, or enslaved?

 

In our verse today, this was the question that was raised with the people Jesus was talking to. John wrote that, “All the people” (John 8:2) had come to Him in the temple, and He was teaching them, when the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery, and tested Jesus. Would Jesus agree with the punishment Moses had decreed in the Old Testament?

 

Jesus’ wisdom was evident in His handling of the situation, because the Pharisees ended up having to admit, as they slunk away, that they, too, were sinners who had no right to “be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7) and the woman walked away free, with no condemnation from Jesus, but an instruction to “sin no more”. (John 8:11) Jesus’ ability to interpret the Law justly engaged the people further, wanting to be enlightened as they listened.

 

Jesus defined for them His perception of a true disciple: someone who holds to His teaching and the truth that it brings. The beautiful words, “If you abide in my word … you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” invite them to remain in Jesus, and His teaching, which connects them to the One who embodies Truth, and holds the authority to release them from the power of sin and death; guilt and shame; fear and judgment, and be healed; to start over with a new identity, freed to be able to enjoy a personal relationship with God.

 

Again, Jesus faces prejudice and pride as they refuse to believe Him that Abraham’s children could be enslaved and in need of freeing; repeating their inability to see their prejudice and unjust treatment of the woman caught in adultery.

 

And us? Do we hold onto our own truth and pride?

 

Jesus invites us, too, to be His disciples. Are we under His teaching, and rooted in the Truth that sets us free?

 

Will we abide in Him?